ROCHESTER, Mich. – Davenport picked up a big road win on Friday night as they defeated Oakland 2-1. John Deal tied the game 1-1 in the second period and Bryon Guerin scored the game winner on the power play with 4:59 left in the third period. John Cruse picked up his 18^th win of the season as he made 22 saves. The win snapped Oakland's12 game win streak and extended Davenports win streak to five games.

Even though there were no goals in the first, the opening period provide plenty of excitement. Both the Grizzles and the Panthers had several scoring chances. With 11:28 left in the first period Oakland went on the first power play of the game after Tommy Barabe was called for cross checking. On the ensuing power play John Cruse made one of the top saves of the season to keep the game scoreless. After making an initial save, Cruse sprawled back across the goal-line and stuffed an Oakland rebound attempt and froze the puck. An ensuing brawl put the Panthers in a tough 5-on-3 situation, but the penalty kill was able to hold off the Oakland power play. Soon after the Panthers killed the 5-on-3 they had a power play of their own as Oakland was called for too many men on the ice. DU had their the best scoring chance of the period on the power play as John Deal tried slamming in a shot from right outside the crease but Oakland Goaltender Anthony Munoz held strong in net.

The intensity from the first period carried over into the second period. Oakland started the scoring in the 2^nd period just 3:35 in. The Grizzles took a shot at net that was knocked down by a player in front and Matthew Zuelch just got enough to push the puck across the goal-line to give Oakland a 1-0 lead. After wearing the Grizzlies down on a power play the Panthers were finally able to tie the game 1-1. John Deal knocked a rebound off of a shot by Patrick Martin with 5:17 left in the period.

In the final stanza the Grizzlies and Panthers exchanged several power play opportunities. With 4:59 the Panthers took the lead for the first time as Bryon Guerin knocked in a power play goal that was set up by Brandon Burton and Jake Hambidge. Davenport and Oakland each had a power play in the last four minutes of the game. Right as the Panthers power play ended Danny Beecham was called for cross checking with 1:47 left in the game. In the last minute of play Oakland pulled their goalie to give themselves a 6-on-4 advantage. Once again Cruse stood strong doing the splits and making a kick save with 19.9 seconds left to seal the victory for the Panthers.

Post-Game Quotes - Head Coach Chris Green.

On play of John Cruse “ John had a stellar game, he did a good job controlling rebounds and made some big saves when we need him to. He kept us in the game with those big saves and the guys responded to his play. Without him making those saves we wouldn't have won that game.”

On teams physical play “ I thought they played more physical than we did but we got them with a couple big hits. I was proud of the way we handled our emotions and did over react to the physical play.”

Post-Game Notes